2024 Presidential Election

Special guest Michael Podhorzer explains why living and dying by every poll between now and next November is pointless.

Joe describes how polls have become little more than "feelings thermometers," and why it's a problem that the media doesn't recognize that.

Joe Biden is facing a challenge in 2024, but is it Trump? The short answer is "no."

All polling is based on modeling, but Stuart's tracking how inaccurate those models have proven to be in a world and electorate that has dramatically changed.

Do the 40+% of Iowa Caucus voters who voted against Trump signal an opportunity for a Biden victory in November?

Jeff describes the long slide on the political right beginning in the days of Jerry Falwell and how we're now at the point of "conservatives" pushing theology as policy.

A top-to-bottom purge of non-partisan civil servants from government to be replace by Trump loyalists and sycophants - all with a theocratic, Christian Nationalist agenda. Kristin lays it out.

The GOP convention next week will not be and cannot be treated as though it's a normal political convention. Mark Jacob explains.

Alex is out, so Trygve Olsen is back like he never left. It's a week after the election, but we're focused on the future. In the coming years, we have much to learn, but what do we need to make the change? What can we learn from Tammy Baldwin winning? Making the change starts with us, so please go check out Sez.us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Juliet watched nine hours of Fox News and roughly eight and a half hours of the PBS News Hour from of the night of the 2024 presidential election. This podcast breaks the whole thing down hour by hour with illuminating quotes from both networks. A legitimate news source versus rightwing propaganda.

Host Maya May dives into The Day After with activist and White Women for Harris co-chair Liz Minnella and comedian Allison Reese. This is an incredible conversation - raw, realistic about what we face but also what comes next in protecting our loved ones and creating political and social change.

Legendary strategist James Carville joins Joe and Alex to preview Election Day and discuss his new documentary, "Carville: Winning is everything, stupid!" Why does over 100 years of combined experience think this election is only pointing one way? Where should you be watching for election night data? And one key question James asks Joe and Alex - you won't want to miss this one. It's our last pre-Election Day episode! See you on the other side...

Rick sits down the LP political team who measure, move, and make a difference with voters on the ground in key swing states. Follow all these people on X! Phillip Germain at @PhillipJGermain Trygve Olson at @TrygveOlson Mary Slowinski at @MarySlowinski Stuart Stevens at @StuartPStevens Jeff Timmer at @JeffTimmer Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. And please subscribe, rate and review this podcast, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In these final days before the election, Trump has doubled down on his authoritarian, fascist rhetoric. To help us make sense of the chaos leading up to the big day, Rick welcomes historian and political analyst Heather Cox Richardson for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of American democracy. Together, they delve into the stark contrasts between democracy and authoritarianism, the Republican Party’s transformation under Trump, and the growing influence of tech billionaires pushing anti-democratic agendas. With the 2024 election upon us, they examine the stakes, the shifts in voter sentiment, and the potential for new political coalitions to reshape our reality.

Our friend and data guru Tom Bonier joins the show to figure out what's real and what isn't with just days to go. Is early voting good for Democrats? Or just different? And what is going on with all these yo-yoing polls? Where are Tom and Joe most confident headed into the final weekend before Election Day - and what's everyone's bold prediction for the election? This is it, everybody. Go vote! Check vote.org to confirm your registration and make a plan to vote. You can see more of Tom's work at https://targetearly.targetsmart.com/.

Alexander Vindman offers his foreign policy take on what a second Trump presidency would mean for the United States and the good of the civilized world. Follow Alexander Vindman on X at @AVindman and read and subscribe to his Substack at alexandervindman.substack.com. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln.

Donald J. Trump was lauded as a political genius for cosplaying as a minimum wage worker at a McDonald’s franchise while The New York Times published an audio interview of Gen. John F. Kelly describing Trump as a fascist and admirer of Hitler. Fox decided to bury the story in a heap of French fries prepared by the same wannabe dictator Kelly was trying to warn the American public about. Everyone clutched their pearls to dust after Kamala Harris called Trump a fascist. Stephen A. Smith verbally mopped the floor with Sean Hannity in an amusing and delightful extended rant.

Well now, that was fun! Frank Rich, award-winning journalist, and Emmy and Golden Globe winning Executive Producer for shows including VEEP and Succession, joined Rick, Joe, and Stuart last night for a super-smart, riveting, and fun conversation. Catch up now!

The gloves came off as host Maya May, viral video sensation, and parent of Gen Z’ers, Kristen Toomey, and expert on Gen Z voters and founder and executive director of Voters of Tomorrow, Santiago Mayer discussed “WTF is happening with Gen Z male voters supporting Trump?” What’s the appeal of hypermasculinity and the influencers who push it? Is comedy the answer to bringing them back before we lose an important segment of the electorate for good? Catch up now!

The first part of Chapter 10 introduces the fictional character Dr. Joy Brewer, a dedicated researcher focused on studying cancer clusters affecting Black Americans. Joy learns from her colleague, Dr. Matthias Kunz, that all federal grants linked to race or gender are being canceled, jeopardizing her life’s work. Despite her attempts to advocate for her essential research, the political climate forces her into a corner where she must reconsider her direction. This part of the chapter closes with Joy’s resolute decision to remain true to her mission, suggesting a significant personal and professional loss amidst the disaster of Trump and his ideological allies. In the second part of chapter, the fictional Webster "Web" Powers, addresses a packed ballroom in Washington, D.C., on a day he considers pivotal for his political ambitions. Web, who has transformed from a simple condo salesman into a powerful figure opposing what he sees as “woke” ideologies in education and government, relishes the fear among his audience—representatives from universities and research institutions. He recalls how his concerns about a lack of patriotic historical education for his children led him on a crusade to eliminate anti-American content from schools, which in turn propelled him into politics. After achieving success in Florida by banning critical race theory and related concepts from education, he is ready to extend his efforts nationally. During his speech, he unveils plans to remove references to race, gender identities, and diversity from federal policies and grants, branding the funding of such initiatives as “racism.” His announcement indicates that billions in federal research funds supporting various racial and gender-focused studies will now be terminated, causing dread among established academics who relied on these grants. Web takes pleasure in exerting control, sensing that his audience, once dismissive towards him, is now subservient to his newfound authority. Ultimately, both narratives illustrate what happens when a Trump second term guided by Project 2025 destroys the lives and work of dedicated individuals committed to social justice and scientific integrity. We'd like to thank all the artists who volunteered their time to make this episode: Danai Gurira and Joel Hurt Jones who read the chapter and others who contributed character voices. Sound design by Jonathan Moser and Marilys Ernst. Trump's Project 2025: Up Close and Personal is written by David Pepper and produced by Pepper, Melissa Jo Peltier and Jay Feldman and is a production of Ovington Avenue Productions and The Bill Press Pod.

Gabriel Sherman discusses his new Trump biopic, The Apprentice, and the toxic bond between Roy Cohn and a young Donald Trump. He reflects on how Cohn’s influence shaped Trump’s political tactics and character, revealing a dark legacy of manipulation and corruption. Sherman also offers insight into the behind-the-scenes struggles surrounding the film, including Trump’s ultimately unsuccessful efforts to block its release—yet another predictable, calculated move. Follow Gabriel Sherman on X @GabrielSherman and find a local screening of the film “The Apprentice” at theapprenticemovie.com.

Last week on Fox News the 2024 election was reduced to a battle to win over one of the smallest voting demographics in the American electorate - Black men a group normally loyal to the Democratic Party. The network also ramped up fear of the emasculating left by pushing stories of trans female athletes and government programs that pay for gender affirming surgeries for prisoners. Kamala Harris was presented as an evil shrew while Tim Walz was an ineffective effeminate even though he’s been a highly successful politician since he flipped a Republican Congressional district blue and rose to the highest office in the state of Minnesota.

Old friend Reed Galen joins Joe and Alex with a report from on the ground... pretty much everywhere! Reed's traveling the battlegrounds with The Union - what's he seeing in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Michigan? What are voters actually talking about? Plus, Joe and Reed talk about how organizing can make the difference in a close race. What is Reed seeing that may surprise you? And with just 19 days left, it's time to leave it all on the field. Check out Reed's podcast "The Home Front" wherever you get your podcasts. There's still time to volunteer - go to jointheunion.us and find out how you can help!

Last week on Fox the term misinformation became a code word for a crackdown on free speech while Vice President Kamala Harris was vilified for not doing enough and for doing too much to help hurricane victims. Kayleigh McEnany’s friend might have met a Black person, Melania Trump was pushing her merch on ‘The Five,’ while Jessica Tarlov revealed Trump’s ‘God Bless the USA Bibles’ were printed in China.

Rick Wilson interviews Congressman Colin Allred in a no-holds-barred conversation about his campaign to unseat Ted Cruz in Texas. They dive into Allred’s journey from NFL linebacker to the political arena, dissecting Cruz’s vulnerabilities and what it will take to flip the state blue. Along the way, Wilson and Allred trade jabs at Cruz’s controversial record, making this episode a must-listen for anyone tracking the 2024 election. Follow ColinAllred on X at @RepColinAllred and support his Senate campaign at colinallred.com. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. And please subscribe, rate and review this podcast, thank you!

Stuart Stevens writes, "After I replied to Mr. Ackman’s post, he invited me to refute each of his 33 justifications for supporting Donald Trump. So, I did."

With all the disinformation out there - what can we do? What's going on under the hood that has us optimistic about Pennsylvania? And Joe and Alex explain the swing voters that may cost Trump this fall. And Joe shares his latest on the Senate - including one race that might take many by surprise. And what's going on with the House? Plus, we get to your questions with less than 4 weeks to go.